What do they do with Sammy Ameobi, Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor, whose contracts finish this summer.

The answer for me would be to offer Taylor a new deal and let Ameobi and Gutierrez go.

Simply because the decisions have to be made with the head not the heart.

I realise there is a huge sympathy vote for Gutierrez and I have nothing but admiration for the way he has fought back from cancer. It’s nothing short of magnificent. I’m so pleased for him.

However, playing-wise I think it’s the right time to thank him for his loyal service, especially during United’s season in the Championship, and let him move on to pastures new.

Equally, of course, Taylor has fought back from crippling odds. He was out of the game for two years and suffered another setback on his return earlier this season.

He has shown tremendous courage and willpower to keep going because it’s a real slog. I know, I had it at Arsenal.

You feel like a complete outsider in the club, almost as though you were trespassing.

Your hours change, coming in before the fit players or after them. It’s relentless, repetitive, awful.

When Taylor first arrived I thought he wasn’t good enough but he’s changed my mind. He’s improved dramatically.

Ryan has always accepted his station as a squad player and has been willing to go in wherever required. He can play in a lot of positions, does it with commitment, and can carry out instructions. And I haven’t even mentioned his ability on dead balls!

Sammy Ameobi of Newcastle United is challenged by Santiago Vergini of Sunderland (Image: 2014 Getty Images)

As for Ameobi, I would honestly let him move on. United have a better young player in his position – Rolando Aarons. Sammy, I’m afraid, flatters to deceive. His overall impact is not enough. He scores a couple of goals in a season and gets out the cigars. So does Gabriel Obertan by the way. United need more from them, and Ameobi ought to be coming into his prime.

With Papiss Cisse out suspended for seven matches people have been asking me who will score United’s goals, starting at Everton tomorrow. It’s a good question.

Let me say right here and now I like young Ayoze Perez, who is an intelligent player. He gets kicked all over the place but simply picks himself up and gets on with it.

Perez has good feet and good movement. I would tell him to just go out there and play with a freedom. He may just flourish without the restrictions of a centre-forward hogging the main ground.

United have a real chance at Goodison. I watched Everton play Dynamo Kiev on Thursday and they looked decent but they are very different in the Premier League.

They haven’t won a PL game at Goodison this year and we’re deep into March. That’s staggering. They are in a rut and Newcastle must take advantage of it.

Can they, because they aren’t winning too often themselves?

The Magpies haven’t completed the double over any side this season but this is their best chance.